U.S. patent application number 09/784622 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-01 for data service at a transit terminal.
This patent application is currently assigned to KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.. Invention is credited to Ekkel, Frederik.
Application Number | 20010037360 09/784622 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26899138 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010037360 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ekkel, Frederik |
November 1, 2001 |
Data service at a transit terminal
Abstract
A method provides a traveler access to a repository over an
information network by means of an access point apparatus located
at a transit terminal. The traveler can download information
content hosted on the repository for off-line viewing. The
downloaded information content is stored on a mobile storage
medium. The storage medium is given to the traveler and may be used
later by the traveler to access the data, when traveling for
example. The information content may also be downloaded onto a
storage medium being an onboard component of a means of
transportation. The traveler accesses the information network using
a device provided at an assigned traveling location.
Inventors: |
Ekkel, Frederik; (Cupertino,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Edward Blocker
Philips Electronics North America Corporation
580 White Plains Road
Torrytown
NY
10591
US
|
Assignee: |
KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS
N.V.
|
Family ID: |
26899138 |
Appl. No.: |
09/784622 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60204059 |
May 12, 2000 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
709/203 ;
709/219 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 16/9574 20190101;
H04L 67/289 20130101; H04L 63/10 20130101; H04L 63/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/203 ;
709/219 |
International
Class: |
G06F 015/16 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of providing to an individual access to an information
content, the method comprising: at a transit terminal, providing
access over an information network to a repository hosting the
information content; at the transit terminal, enabling to transfer
the information content over the network from the repository to a
mobile storage medium; and, providing the storage medium to the
individual.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: downloading the
information content from the repository onto the mobile storage
medium.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing an
apparatus at the transit terminal to allow the individual to cause
the transfer of the information content.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the information network comprises
the Internet.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein transferring the information
content is enabled over a wireless communication channel.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the storage medium is an optical
storage medium.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the storage medium is provided to
the individual when entering a means of transportation.
8. The method of claim 1, comprising: identifying the individual;
upon identification, enabling the individual to select the
information content from a plurality of information contents; and,
downloading the selected information content onto the mobile
storage medium.
9. The method of claim 1, comprising: enabling the individual to
enter identification information; selecting the information content
based on the identification information; and, downloading the
information content.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the information content is
selected based on a profile of the individual.
11. A method of claim 1, comprising: charging a fee for
transferring the information content.
12. A method of providing to an individual access to an information
content, the method comprising: at a transit terminal, providing
access over an information network to a repository hosting the
information content; at the transit terminal, enabling to transfer
the information content over the network between the repository and
a mobile storage medium; assigning a traveling location to the
individual in a means of transportation, the means of
transportation including the mobile storage medium; and, providing
at the assigned traveling location an apparatus to enable the
individual to access the information content.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the information content is
determined from a plurality of information contents on the basis of
a profile of the individual.
14. An access point apparatus providing access to an information
network, the apparatus comprising: a connecting unit to access over
the information network a repository hosting an information
content; a receiving part for receiving a removable storage medium;
and a transfer unit, coupled to the connecting unit and the
receiving part, enabling to transfer the information content from
the repository to the removable storage medium.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the information network
comprises the Internet.
16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the transfer unit allows
storing the information content as digital data onto the removable
storage medium, the storage medium comprising an optical storage
medium.
17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the apparatus enables an
individual to retrieve the storage medium.
18. A storage medium with pre-stored electronic information content
selected on the basis of a profile of an individual and for use
with an apparatus on board a means of transportation to enable the
individual access to the information content.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention concerns a method of providing to an
individual off-line access to information content.
[0002] The invention further relates to an access-point apparatus
providing access to an information network.
[0003] The invention also relates to a storage medium with
pre-stored information content.
[0004] The invention may be used to provide updated broadcast news
to a traveler before traveling.
BACKGROUND ART
[0005] Inflight entertainment is a growing market segment, which
incorporates different technologies to offer an increasing number
of products and services to travelers. A non-profit organization,
the World Airline Entertainment Association (WAEA), has been
founded for representing over 100 airlines and 300 airlines
suppliers. The WAEA seeks for a continual improvement of the
service offered to the traveler and of the traveler's environment.
Some airlines provide their travelers with individual monitors
mounted on the seats that offer various interactive features. These
features comprise news-update, personal video-cassette players,
telephone, electronic mail services, computers link-up, etc. . .
.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Very often public means of transportation do not offer live
connection to public information networks. Due to this technical
limitation, a traveler has rarely access to the most current
version of information content. This lack of connection implies
that a limited number of non-customized features are offered to all
travelers.
[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide to a traveling
individual off-line access to information content normally
available on-line.
[0008] To this end, a method of the invention comprises:
[0009] at a transit terminal, providing access over an information
network to a repository hosting the information content;
[0010] at the transit terminal, enabling to transfer the
information content over the network from the repository to a
mobile storage medium;
[0011] providing the storage medium to the individual.
[0012] Thus, before boarding the individual has, for example, the
possibility of downloading the most up-to-date version of
information content from a network for offline viewing when
traveling. The invention advantageously provides the individual
with the most recent version of given electronic information
content. Such a method gives an alternative to the traditional
newspaper following the trend towards electronic communication
media.
[0013] Such a method may be user-customized. Information content
may be determined from a user profile built in advance from
preferences given by the user at the time of booking.
[0014] According to the invention, a method of providing to the
individual access to the information content, comprises:
[0015] at a transit terminal, providing access over an information
network to a repository hosting the information content;
[0016] at the transit terminal, enabling to transfer the
information content over the network between the repository and a
mobile storage medium;
[0017] assigning a traveling location to the individual in a means
of transportation, the means of transportation including the mobile
storage medium;
[0018] providing at the assigned traveling location an apparatus to
enable the individual to access the information content.
[0019] In the invention the storage medium may be a component
onboard of the means of transportation. The individual is assigned
a traveling location, e.g., a seat or a cabin, that is equipped
with an apparatus that permits the individual to access the
information content. The individual may access information content
through a local network of the means of transportation that
includes the storage medium.
[0020] Further the access point apparatus of the invention
comprises:
[0021] a connecting unit to access over the information network a
repository hosting an information content;
[0022] a receiving unit to receive a removable storage medium;
and,
[0023] a transfer unit, coupled to the connecting unit and the
receiving unit, enabling to transfer the information content from
the repository to the removable storage medium.
[0024] The access point apparatus or "kiosk" may be placed in
terminals. Such an apparatus permits to download information
content on the storage medium which is then given to the traveler
for later use for off-line browsing of the content.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0025] The invention is explained in further detail, by way of
example, and with reference to the accompanying drawing
wherein:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a flow-chart of a method of the invention;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an apparatus of the
invention;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a flow-chart of a method of the invention; and
[0029] FIG. 4 is a flow-chart of a method of the invention.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0030] The invention relates to a service provided to a traveler at
a transit terminal. An individual may travel from a departing point
to a destination point using various means of transportation, e.g.,
a car, a bus, an aircraft, a ship, a train, etc. . . . A "transit
terminal", as used herein, indicates a travel departing or arrival
point such as an airport, a train station or a bus stop.
[0031] At the terminal, access is provided to an information
network, e.g., the Internet or any other public or private
information network. The individual may be allowed to use this
access to download electronic information content from a host
repository or server onto a mobile storage medium. For example, the
individual downloads information content from the Internet for use
later on when on a plane where no live access to the Internet is
available.
[0032] Preferably, the service is highly customizable in the sense
that the traveler is enabled to select among information contents
offered at the terminal the one/ones that is/are interesting or
relevant to this traveler. Selected information content gets
downloaded on a mobile storage medium to which the individual has
access when away from the terminal. Alternatively, or in addition,
the individual has specified in advance his/her profile to, e.g.,
the service provider, or the travel agency, as part of the travel
arrangement. Information content matching this profile is
downloaded onto the mobile storage medium. For example, the
individual has specified that he wants to have access to an
electronic version of a current edition of a certain newspaper or
magazine when the individual is traveling on a plane, or the most
current version of a TV broadcast.
[0033] The mobile storage medium comprises, for example, a memory
card or an optical or magnetic disk to be used with the laptop
personal computer of the individual, or with a data processing
apparatus provided onboard the means of transportation.
[0034] In a first embodiment, information content is stored onto
the storage medium at the terminal, and the individual is given the
storage medium to keep it with him/her.
[0035] In a second embodiment, the mobile storage medium comprises
a component onboard the means of transportation used. For example,
the storage medium is a component of a data network local to a
train, ship or airplane. Once onboard, the individual is enabled to
login to the local network with his/her PC for access to the
selected information content.
[0036] In a third embodiment, the local network onboard the means
of transportation comprises devices from which the individual
accesses the selected information content. This has the advantage
that the individual does not need to carry his/her own laptop PC.
For example, each seat on a plane is provided with a data
processing apparatus that has a display screen and other
user-interface capabilities, e.g., a cursor control device or a
keyboard, through which the individual can browse or otherwise
interact with information content. The onboard access to the local
network preferably also enables the individual to create email
messages and other electronic documents. These messages and
documents get cached locally on the local network until the means
of transportation arrives at a destination transit terminal. At the
terminal, the local network is connected to a terrestrial
information network to which the messages or documents are
transferred and electronically sent to their addressees'
recipients.
[0037] The above and other concepts are further explained in more
detail below with reference to FIG. 1-3.
[0038] FIG. 1 is a flow-chart giving possible steps of a method of
the invention. A first step 102 comprises enabling an individual to
access a repository 10 from an access-point apparatus 40 at a
transit terminal. Access to the repository 10 is provided over an
information network 30. The repository 10 is configured to host
information content C. The repository 10 may be a server or a
database from which information content C can be retrieved upon
request by a server over the Internet.
[0039] A second step 104 comprises transferring information content
C from the repository 10 to a mobile storage medium 20. Information
content C is downloaded over the network 30 to the medium 20.
[0040] In a third step 106, the individual is enabled to access
information content C from the storage medium 20. In step 106, the
individual is provided with the storage medium 20. The individual
uses the mobile storage medium 20 to render information content C
off-line.
[0041] Enabling the traveler to access information content C may
comprise supplying information content C using a widely spread data
format, e.g., MPEG-2 encoded video information content, MPEG-1
layer 3 audio content. Information content C may therefore be
easily rendered user-readable. Step 106 may also comprise providing
the traveler with a compatible apparatus for reading information
content C from the medium 20. For example, travel companies may
provide their means of transportation with individual monitors and
processors mounted on the seats. Of the means of
transportation.
[0042] FIG. 2 is an embodiment of the access point apparatus 40.
The apparatus 40 offers to the individual using the apparatus 40
the possibility of exchanging data between the repository 10 and
the storage medium 20.
[0043] In this embodiment, the apparatus 40 comprises a user
interface 42 for enabling interactive communication between the
traveler and the apparatus 40. For example, the interface 42
comprises a display monitor and a user-input device such as a
keyboard or a cursor-control device.
[0044] The apparatus 40 further comprises a connecting unit 44 such
as a modem or dialing unit for accessing the repository 10 over the
network 30. Such a unit 44 may incorporate an internet browser
supporting the TCP/IP protocol allowing World Wide Web content
access. Access to the host repository 10 is done over terrestrial
cable, over the air through antennas, and/or using satellites for
example. The repository 10 is preferably remotely located and the
repository 10 and the apparatus may be owned and managed
independently from each other. The apparatus 40 can access the
repository 10 when the individual requests the apparatus 40 to do
so. In this case, the most current version of information content C
hosted by the repository 10 is made available to the individual.
Alternatively, the apparatus 40 may be set-up to access the
repository 10 periodically, independently of any individual's
request. Various information contents are retrieved and get cached
locally on a proxy server or a cache server associated with the
apparatus 40. Thus, when an individual requests given information
content C, information content C is already present therefore
allowing a faster download time for the individual.
[0045] The apparatus 40 comprises a receiving unit 48 for hosting
the storage medium 20. The unit 48 may be any device hosting
optical storage mediums such as a CD drive, a CD burner, a CD-RW,
DVD-RW or DVD+RW player or a combination of these components. The
apparatus 40 further comprises a transfer unit 46 for transferring
and storing information content C on the storage medium 20. The
storage medium 20 is for example an optical storage medium such as
a CD, an optical disk, a hard-disk drive (HDD) or any other solid
state storage medium such as a floppy disk, a MPEG-layer 3 memory,
a memory unit of a mobile phone, a flash memory device (Memory
Stick, SD card).
[0046] The unit 46 may also provide a wireless connection between
the unit 48 hosting the storage medium 20 and the apparatus 40,
e.g., enabling transfer of information content according to the WAP
(Wireless Application Protocol) protocol. The WAP is a set of open,
global protocols for developing applications and services that use
wireless networks. The WAP protocols are mainly based on already
existing Internet protocols, but are optimized for mobile users
with wireless devices such as PDAs and cellular phones.
[0047] The apparatus 40 is placed in a transit terminal. The
apparatus 40 is possibly an access point apparatus or a kiosk
placed in a waiting lounge of a travel company in the transit
terminal.
[0048] FIG. 3 is a flow-chart depicting a method of the invention.
In a first step 300, the individual seeks access to the apparatus
40. A second step 302 comprises entering identification data ID
through the user interface 42. The ID data is a Personal
Identification Number (PIN) or a user name and a login password
identifying the individual.
[0049] In a third step 304, the apparatus 40 checks whether the
individual is authorized to access the apparatus 40 by comparing
the entered ID data with stored authorized ID data. Authorized ID
data may be stored remotely. Upon ID data matching, the individual
is granted access to the access point 40. An authorized individual
is, for example, a member of a frequent flyer program of an
airline. Alternatively, the apparatus 40 is publicly accessible and
the identification sub-process of step 302 and 304 does not
exist.
[0050] In a fourth step 306, the UI 42 presents the individual with
a choice of several information contents, which are available for
download. The choice may appear as an interactive list on the UI 42
of the apparatus 40. Information content C may be a Web page such
as News Web pages, financial Web pages giving the last-minute stock
market's values, entertainment Web pages, etc. . . . Information
content C may also be audio data or a movie to be downloaded for
later viewing or listening.
[0051] Alternatively, the individual is not given the choice of
information content C to be downloaded. In fact the apparatus 40
may allow downloading of a specific information content C only. For
example, the apparatus 40 may allow downloading of the current
version of a defined set of Web pages of the TIMES newspaper
Web-site only. In this example, the apparatus 40 may be sponsored
by the TIMES editor. Furthermore a given Web-site, such as the
TIMES Web-site, may offer any individual to register for
authorization to access and download pages of the Web-site at
travel terminals. When the individual registers, the individual is
given an identification code that can be used at a transit terminal
to access the apparatus 40 and to download the current electronic
version of the newspaper.
[0052] Furthermore, the set of information contents proposed to the
individual may be defined based on a profile of the individual. The
profile has been defined in advance and is associated to the
individual's identification ID data. For example, when booking the
travel ticket, the individual is asked for preferences of
information content C. Thus, when gaining access to the apparatus
40, the individual is presented with the preferred information
contents.
[0053] The profile may also define in advance a selection of
information contents to be downloaded without any further choice
needed from the individual at the time of travel. For example, when
booking the travel ticket, the individual gives his selection of
information content C that he wants to have downloaded. Just before
boarding, the individual gains access to the apparatus 40 at the
terminal by entering his identification ID data. The profile of the
individual is retrieved and information content C matching the
profile is requested from the host repository 10.
[0054] The definition of the profile may be done online at any time
before boarding. As mentioned previously, the individual when
booking his/her travel arrangement online may at the same time
define a set of preferences as to the type of information contents.
The profile may also be deduced from information on a personal home
page or personal portal of the individual. Following this model,
browsing the profile of the individual allows selecting information
content for off-line browsing according to a method of the
invention.
[0055] In a fifth step 308, information content C is downloaded
onto the storage medium 20.
[0056] In the fifth step 308, the unit 48 downloads selected
information content C to the storage medium 20. The storage medium
20 may be supplied by the apparatus 40. For example, the unit 46
comprises a CD burner and the apparatus 40 allows retrieving and
burning information content C on an optical storage medium.
[0057] Another possible scenario for a method of the invention is
given in FIG. 4. Firstly in step 402, the individual books his/her
travel itinerary ticket, e.g., an airplane ticket. When making
reservation and as shown in step 404, the individual is given the
choice of sets of information contents, that, at the time of
travel, will be available for downloading. The individual makes a
selection. Just before boarding, information content C is
downloaded as mentioned in step 406. In step 408, the transport
company provides the individual with the storage medium 20 storing
information content C that the individual has selected at the time
of booking. For example, when the traveler checks-in before a
flight, the airline company provides the individual with the
storage medium 20, e.g. a CD-ROM or DVD (Digital Versatile Disk),
together with the boarding card. Alternatively, at the entrance of
the plane crew members may offer a variety of storage mediums 20 to
the individuals traveling. For example, electronic versions of
different newspapers may be handed out to the travelers entering
the plane and each individual's seat is provided with a processing
device for the individual to access the electronic information
content from the storage medium 20. The individual may also be
given a single storage medium 20 on which various information
contents are stored, e.g., daily updated electronic editions of
several newspapers.
[0058] In another embodiment, the apparatus 40 may allow
downloading information content C a few minutes before the
scheduled departure of the means of transportation without any
request from the individual. Thus, when the individual has access
to the apparatus 40, the storage medium 20 where information
content C is stored is ready for pick up in the apparatus 40.
[0059] In an embodiment of the invention, a fee may apply for
downloading information content C. In this case, the method
comprises an additional step of supplying the requested fee for
activating the download of information content C. The fee is
possibly based on the actual size of content C to be downloaded or
on the type of selected content C.
[0060] In another embodiment of the invention, the storage medium
20 is a component onboard the means of transportation. Before
traveling, the storage medium 20 of the plane or the train is
connected to the apparatus 40 that enables access to the repository
10. Information content C is transferred from the repository 10 to
the storage medium 20. Often a traveler is assigned a specific
location in the means of transportation, e.g. a seat in a train, a
seat in an aircraft. Each seat may be provided with a display
monitor and a processing unit thereby forming a local network in
the means of transportation. The storage medium 20 is placed at a
node of this local network and is made accessible to all the
processing units at the seats. The individual has the possibility
of viewing and browsing information content C directly from his
seat when traveling. The storage medium 20 may also comprise
specific memory units respectively associated to a given seat. The
traveler may also be provided with a connection at his seat to plug
a personal device, e.g. a laptop, enabling connecting to the local
network.
[0061] It is to be noted that, with respect to the described
method, modifications or improvements may be proposed without
departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, it is
clear that a method of the invention may be implemented in several
manners, such as by means of wired electronic circuits or,
alternatively, by means of a set of instructions stored in a
computer-readable medium, said instructions replacing at least a
part of said circuits and being executable under the control of a
computer or a digital processor in order to carry out the same
functions as fulfilled in said replaced circuits.
* * * * *